OK so we all know God rides a Harley, but what we want to know is - which model? Maybe a Heritage Softail, maybe even a V-Rod, but my moneys on the Road King. After spending a week living with one, I'd be putting my name on one if I was offered the job of supreme ruler of the universe.

The Road King continues a long line of Milwaukee big cruisers that include the Hydra-Glide and Electra-Glide, and looks like it might have just been spirited here from 1958. Big fat wheels, huge mudguards (sorry; "fenders"), fatbob tanks, pullback bars, footboards and panniers give the Harley an instantly recogniseable profile which has become a motorcycling icon.

But the heart of this bike is no leaky Panhead or Shovelhead engine, but Harleys latest development of their traditional engine, the Twin Cam 88. Launched in '99 to replace their 1340 Evolution motor, this pushrod 45 degree vee twin displaces a full 1450cc and now comes with the option of fuel injection. Rather coyly Harley don't quote a power output for this engine, but claim a massive 78 Ft/Lbs of torque. A five speed transmission with heel and toe shifter and final drive by toothed rubber belt gets the power to the back wheel. And under that massive bodywork lives the latest develpoment of Harleys rubber mount frame which does a fine job of isolating the rider from the vibes of the huge vee twin.

While the performance is more impressive than you might expect, the current crop of Harleys sound a little muted. That distinctive rumbling exhaust note has been supressed in the interests of emissions regulations and noise laws, and many owners will want to fit louder pipes at the 500 mile service. A Dynojet Stage One kit and freer breathing air cleaner will also help liberate a few extra horses.

The rear air suspension is adjustable and that 50s style headlamp shroud conceals utterly modern Showa forks. Brakes front and rear are now four pot units on floating discs and are much improved over previous designs, well capable of hauling down the bikes 345 Kg weight from speed.

Riding the Road King is a revelation. What looks like a huge and bulky bike on the stand is surprisingly light and easy to manage on the move and the riding position has to be one of the most comfortable on the planet. This really does feel like a bike you could cross continents on. Those wide pullback bars and footboards sit you back into the well padded seat like a favourite armchair and the classic screen deflects the worst of the windblast. The riding position feels appropriately regal for rider and passenger, who both benefit from roomy footboards, but this test bike lacks a backrest which helps make a pillion feel even more secure. A problem easily solved from Harley's extensive accessory catalogue.

In fact you can customise a Harley like no other bike, a huge range of options being available from the factory covering everything from extra chrome goodies to top quality custom paint, all available to order.

Marks out of ten:

Performance:
Six. The Harley is no Fireblade, nor does it claim to be. What it does do is deliver lots of useable power in a style perfectly matched to the laid-back cruiser feel. While I didn't explore the far reaches of flat out performance, I can tell you that this bike is well capable of cruising all day at 90MPH, fully laden with rider, passenger and luggage. It's stable and solid, and the latest brakes and suspension are well up to the job.

Comfort:
While the riding position is superb I found the screen a little too low for my 6' 4" frame. At speed the buffeting left my head bobbing in a pocket of turbulence like an unclaimed lottery ball, and passenger comfort doesn't seem complete without a backrest. Throw some cash at the accessory catalogue and both problems are easily solved, but in stock trim I have to give it eight out of ten.

Build Quality:
While the overall finish is very good, our test bike was beginning to show signs of rust on some of the fasteners and trim, and I have reservations about the wisdom of chroming aluminium engine casings. Subject this bike to the worst rigours of a British winter and it could begin to look shabby quite quickly. However most owners will want to love, cherish and polish their Harley, and I'd be very surprised to see a scruffy example on the road. Harleys latest engine and transmission design is solid and well made and, with proper maintenance, should outlast much of the opposition. Overall quality? Seven out of Ten.

Value For Money:
Though it's not a cheap at £12,495 I have to give this bike eight out of ten for value. You'll get higher tech and more performance from the Japanese opposition, but the Harley kudos will keep secondhand values high.

Street Cred:
Nine. Though some bikers still regard these bikes as slow and agricultural, Harleys latest models have the quality and performance to prove otherwise. And wherever you go, to any corner of the globe, people will always recognise a Harley Davidson. I can't speak for the Almighty, but I can say that the Road King is high on my own shortlist of highly desirable bikes.

Dr.Rod.